31 December 2011

For those of you who enjoy these kinds of things, I've taken a moment to write a brief holiday message to everyone. If you'd like to have a read, visithttps://t.co/9TfL9thK (for Facebook people) or http://t.co/yBHEaBzW (for normal webpage).

Warning: The webpage version does have a photo mug shot on it.

For those of you who don't enjoy them, forget this email ever existed.

The NSW Rural Fire Service Blue Mountains District office will be closed on the public holidays but, as always, your volunteer firefighters will continue to be available all day, every day, throughout the festive season.

18 November 2011

Hot weather will return this weekend to the Blue Mountains and Greater Sydney Area, along with hot and gusty winds. Temps in the upper Mountains will be up towards +29c and as much as +37c in the lower Mountains. There is also a strong chance of thunderstorms on Sunday.

If you are going to be enjoying the outdoors, especially on Saturday, be sure to use plenty of sunblock and to keep yourself hydrated!

Also, we’d like to publically thank the students of our own Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School for organising and hosting a fundraising dinner for the RFS Blue Mountains last night (Thursday). Over $1,500 was raised for our Brigades on the night. Also thank-you to several of our email list subscribers who came up and said hello! It’s always great to meet our “customers” in person.

NSW Police and Fire Investigators are appealing for the person who called Triple Zero about last month’s fire in Katoomba to come forward.

Detectives investigating the deliberately-lit bushfire in the Blue Mountains last month have released part of a call made to Triple Zero (000) in the hope of identifying a person who could have information important to the investigation.

Units from RFS and FRNSW are currently attending a fire at Darwin’s Walk (off Dalrymple Ave and Parke St) Wentworth Falls. At present there are no properties directly under threat. Residents in the area are advised to “Watch and Act” and be prepared to activate their Bush Fire Survival plan.

RFS Disclaimer: This email message is intended only for the addressee(s) and contains information which may be confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete this email and any copies or links to this email completely and immediately from your system. Views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, and are not necessarily the views of the NSW Rural Fire Service.

08 November 2011

The Weather Bureau has issued a warning for severe thunderstorms over a large area of New South Wales.

The warning is for people in the Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Australian Capital Territory and parts of the South Coast, North West Slopes and Plains, Riverina, Lower Western, Upper Western and Snowy Mountains Forecast Districts.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones and damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Nowra, Batemans Bay, Orange, Canberra, Goulburn, Dubbo, Tibooburra and Bourke.

Thunder storms are currently affecting southern Sydney and the Illawarra areas, as well as the NSW South Coast. Another band of storms is currently stretching from Crookwell to Bourke.

The storms are spreading to the east and will impact the Blue Mountains area by around 6pm or 7pm, then moving toward the Greater Sydney area.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should: * Move your car under cover or away from trees. * Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony. * Keep clear of fallen power lines. * Unplug computers and appliances. * Avoid using the phone during the storm. * Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well. * For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES [NSW and ACT] on 132 500.

FRNSW and BMCC are undertaking a small hazard reduction burn in Medlow Park today.

As the prescribed burn will generate smoke, hot embers and heat, it is important that you consider the following: ... • Keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering homes • Keep outdoor furniture under cover to prevent ember burns • Retract pool covers to prevent ember damage • Remove washing from clotheslines • Ensure pets have a protected area • If you are driving a vehicle, slow down, keep windows up and turn headlights on • If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities. If smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice

Avoid approaching this area for some time after the completion of the hazard reduction as there may be falling limbs and trees as well as hot ash.

07 November 2011

The students at the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School are holding a fundraiser as part of their event management course and have selected the NSW Rural Fire Service's Blue Mountains District as the beneficiary for this year!

Come and join us at the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School for a fundraiser that is for a fantastic cause! Enjoy a 3 Course Dinner with Matching Wines to help raise money for the local Rural Fire Service. There will be entertainment and activities for you to participate in and a chance to give back to the community!!

How to get tickets: you can contact us anytime on 0411 792 913 (Hayley Lauren Smith [BMIHMS])

21 September 2011

Please be advised that on behalf of the Blue Mountains Bush Fire Management Committee (BMBFMC) crews from the NSW Rural Fire Service, Blue Mountains District (RFS) are intending to undertake Hazard Reduction (HR) burning at the following locations tonight:

Crews from NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire & Rescue NSW remain on-scene at the bushfire that started yesterday afternoon near Olympian Parade at Leura. There is currently no property under threat.

A "Watch and Act" advice is current for this fire.

Conditions may be changing. Continue to monitor the situation and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan.

There are currently 12 fire trucks in and around Olympian Parade, prepared to provide property protection to local homes should the fire activity increase.

A helicopter reconnisance will be launching at approximately 07:00am this morning to overfly the fire and provide ground crews with a more detailed picture of what the fire is or may be doing.

The weather forecast for today includes very strong winds, which have the potential to increase fire activity. Naturally firefighters will remain on-scene and prepared should this happen.

Fire Behaviour:• Variable based on local conditionsFire Intensity:• Fires can be controlled• Spot fires can occur close to the main fireFire Impact:• Loss of life unlikely and damage to property will be limited• Well prepared and actively defended houses can offer safety during a fire

Under these conditions, fires can be difficult to control. Embers may be blown ahead of the fire, creating spot fires. These spot fires may threaten your home earlier than the predicted main fire front.

Other information• If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.• Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au<http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/>, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737.• If you live in the area but are away from home, it may not be safe to return to your property.The next update on this fire will be issued by 10:00am or if the situation changes.

16 September 2011

There will be two Hazard Reduction burns taking place that will be visible from the Blue Mountains during today.

The first is in the Wild Dog Mountains, to the south of Katoomba. Smoke will be clearly visible from Katoomba when looking between Mount Solitary and Narrow Neck. National Parks & NSW Rural Fire Service crews will be in attendance throughout the day. Map at http://tinyurl.com/3zcovbo to see where the Wild Dogs are in relation to you.

Another is in the Mulgoa area, down in the Cumberland Zone. http://tinyurl.com/6zeqvbh for a map of where Mulgoa is in relation to the rest of the Mountains.

There will also be additional burns taking place over the weekend and into next week, weather permitting. For further details, visit our website www.bluemountains.rfs.nsw.gov.au and select "Blue Mountains District News" from the left-side menu.

05 September 2011

We wish to advise that a fuel management burn (also called a prescribed burn or hazard reduction) is proposed for the Megalong Valley area this Tuesday. This will consist of prescribed burning of vegetation to reduce the bush fire fuel and assist in reducing the intensity and adverse impact of bush fires in extreme weather conditions.

The prescribed burning will be undertaken by the NSW Rural Fire Service subject to weather conditions. The burn is scheduled for the following day at the following location:

Date Tuesday 6th September 2011

Location Megalong Valley Reserve, Megalong Valley Rd, Megalong Valley

As the prescribed burn will generate smoke, hot embers and heat, it is important that you consider the following:

Keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering homes

Keep outdoor furniture under cover to prevent ember burns

Retract pool covers to prevent ember damage

Remove washing from clotheslines

Ensure pets have a protected area

If you are driving a vehicle, slow down, keep windows up and turn headlights on

If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities. If smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice

Avoid approaching this area for some time after the completion of the hazard reduction as there may be falling limbs and trees as well as hot ash. Consult your local brigade for advice on conditions.

A Community Liaison Officer will be in attendance.

Should any further information be required, please contact the District Office at Katoomba on 4784 7444 between 9:00am and 4:30pm. You can also obtain additional information on prescribed burning and property preparedness by accessing the NSW Rural Fire Service website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.

We wish to advise that a fuel management burn (also called a prescribed burn or hazard reduction) is proposed for the Hazelbrook area this weekend. This will consist of prescribed burning of vegetation to reduce the bush fire fuel and assist in reducing the intensity and adverse impact of bush fires in extreme weather conditions.

The prescribed burning will be undertaken by the NSW Rural Fire Service subject to weather conditions. The burn is scheduled for the following day at the following location:

Date Saturday 3rd September 2011

Location Cross St, Warrimoo

Fire & Rescue NSW will also be in attendance.

As the prescribed burn will generate smoke, hot embers and heat, it is important that you consider the following:

Keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering homes

Keep outdoor furniture under cover to prevent ember burns

Retract pool covers to prevent ember damage

Remove washing from clotheslines

Ensure pets have a protected area

If you are driving a vehicle, slow down, keep windows up and turn headlights on

If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities. If smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice

Avoid approaching this area for some time after the completion of the hazard reduction as there may be falling limbs and trees as well as hot ash. Consult your local brigade for advice on conditions.

A Community Liaison Officer will be in attendance.

Should any further information be required, please contact the District Office at Katoomba on 4784 7444 between 9:00am and 4:30pm. You can also obtain additional information on prescribed burning and property preparedness by accessing the NSW Rural Fire Service website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.

18 July 2011

Our most recent HeatBeat Radio podcast is now online and available for download.

Our podcasts are from our regular radio session with Mark and Sammi Horton on BLU-FM 89.1 every Wednesday from 8:30-9:00am. Listen in as Insp. Eric Berry chats with Mark, Sammi and Michael about all kinds of bushfire and safety-related matters in plain, easy-to-understand language. Fresh, insightful and entertaining listening for everyone!

11 July 2011

We hope you have all survived more-or-less intact after the past week of chaos throughout the Mountains.

As things begin to return to normal, this fortnight's HeatBeat has been posted on our website for your reading pleasure. You can visit it directly at http://bit.ly/pqdo3p, or by going to www.bluemountains.rfs.nsw.gov.au and clicking on the HeatBeat image at the top of the page.

There is also a collection of stories, photos and news videos from the recent RFS activities in support of the NSW State Emergency Service over the past week, which can be accessed by clicking the "Storm Information" image, also at the top of the home page. We hope to have a larger photo gallery online later this week.

04 July 2011

Most of you will be as surprised as I am to have seen a rogue email turn up yesterday. We’ve no idea how this happened, but it has given me something to puzzle over for the next few days. As we all know the internet can be a strange place, but this has just taken it to a whole new level. Perhaps it’s like those instances where a letter gets lost in a post office for years before being found under a piece of furniture?

Apologies to everyone for this rather embarrassing glitch. I hope we can figure it out so it doesn’t happen again.

03 July 2011

There are still appeals from all Emergency Services for motorists to exercise extreme caution following a terrible day on the roads today (Saturday).

The Great Western Highway through the Blue Mountains was blocked and slowed by a large number of crashes today, as motorists battled through torrential rain and heavy fog. The F3 freeway was also the scene of 15 crashes by lunctime today!

Further intermittent rain is forecast for Sunday, with possible afternoon thunderstorms.

Please take care on the roads and remember to drive with your headlights on when visibility is reduced.

I can also confirm that the NSW Rural Fire Service is running a special competition during the Royal Easter Show. Take a photo of any NSWRFS involvement at the Show, send it in and you could win a prize (and maybe even see your photo published in The Bushfire Bulletin)

You can send your entry by email to media@rfs.nsw.gov.au - the prize is a secret. Good luck to everyone who enters!

20 April 2011

After a short hiatus I am delighted to inform you that our HeatBeat Radio Podcasts are back, with an astounding four (4) new episodes uploaded fresh this morning! Download and listen as we cover subjects from prescribed burning to smoke alarms in caravans to how you can join your local Brigade! As always the link to find them is http://tinyurl.com/RFS-Podcasts or you can visit our website www.bluemountains.rfs.nsw.gov.au and select "New Podcasts" from the left-side menu. I know, it's almost too exciting to believe!

Hurry on over and check it out!

Finally, I will be away from today until 14 June and thus, in the meantime, please direct any enquiries to bluemountains.FCC@rfs.nsw.gov.au or contact the Blue Mountains District Office on 02 4784 7444.

13 April 2011

Please be advised that the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Hawkesbury Area is intending to undertake prescribed (hazard reduction) burning from the morning of Thursday 14 April 2011 until the evening of Friday 15 April 2011.

Weather permitting, units from NPWS, assisted by Brigades from the NSW Rural Fire Service, will be carrying out a hazard reduction burn over the next couple of days at the following location:

Name of HR: Faulconbridge Ridge East HR

Location: North of Faulconbridge township along Grose Road and Faulconbridge Ridge Fire Trail to the Grose River and east to Faulconbridge Creek.

Size: 780 hectares (approx)

There may be some amount of smoke in the vicinity after 09:00hrs Thursday (14/04/11). There will be at least one helicopter involved in aerial incendiary work and, if required, making water drops. NPWS crews and Firefighters will be in attendance throughout the activity.

Residents around the hazard reduction burn areas are reminded to take the following precautions:

Keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering homes

Keep outdoor furniture under cover to prevent ember burns

Retract pool covers to prevent ember damage

Remove washing from clotheslines

Ensure pets have a protected area

Vehicles must slow down, keep windows up, turn headlights on

Sightseers must keep away from burns for their own safety

If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities if smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice

For further information please contact the NPWS Richmond Officeon 45882400.

The NSW Rural Fire Service is providing this public information service on behalf of the Blue Mountains Bush Fire Management Committee and the Hawkesbury Bush Fire Management Committee.

22 March 2011

Although it's a little late, the most recent HeatBeat Radio podcast is now online and available for download.

Our podcasts are from our regular radio session with Mark and Sammi Horton on BLU-FM 89.1 every Wednesday from 8:30-9:00am. Listen in as Insp. Eric Berry chats with Mark, Sammi and Michael about all kinds of bushfire and safety-related matters in plain, easy-to-understand language. Fresh, insightful and entertaining listening for everyone!

The shows information is as follows:

HeatBeat Radio Podcast 04 - Wed 16 February 2011 - About the Northern Strategic Line Project, About the Fire Trail Vegetation Management Project.

This week (Wed 23 March 2011), as it is Seniors Week, we'll be discussing AIDER - (Assist Infirm Disabled and Elderly Residents) a one-off, free service, supporting vulnerable residents to live more safely and confidently in their home on bush fire prone land.

Tune in from 8:30am this Wednesday to BLU-FM 89.1 or look out for the next podcast, coming out by the end of this week.

I hope you enjoy listening to the podcasts and, as always, welcome your feedback or suggestions, along with requests or ideas about subjects you'd like to see covered in future episodes.

From user feedback we are investigating an RSS feed for our podcasts and making them available for iPod and iPhone users too!

21 March 2011

Heavy rain, possible storms and heavy fog will continue to impact the Mountains and Greater Sydney Area this afternoon and overnight. Severe flooding has impacted the Illawarra area south of Sydney this afternoon.

19 March 2011

Up to 50 RFS volunteer firefighters and officers are proceeding to Mt Wilson to assist NSW Police Rescue and NSW Ambulance Service with the carry-out of an injured bushwalker in the Wollongambie area, near Mt Wilson. The incident will possibly take many hours to complete owing to the remote area and the very poor weather conditions.

An update will be provided as additional information becomes available.

14 March 2011

We're delighted to announce the return of our HeatBeat Radio Podcasts. To add even more enjoyment, we've uploaded three new podcasts for your listening pleasure!

The podcasts are from our regular radio session with Mark and Sammi Horton on BLU-FM 89.1 every Wednesday from 8:30-9:00am. Listen in as Insp. Eric Berry chats with Mark about all kinds of bushfire and safety-related matters in plain, easy-to-understand language. Fresh, insightful and entertaining listening for everyone!

The shows are as follows:

HeatBeat Radio Podcast 01 - Wed 16 February 2011 - Why do we need to burn sometimes and not others
HeatBeat Radio Podcast 02 - Wed 02 March 2011 - New research findings about the bushfire history of Australia
HeatBeat Radio Podcast 03 - Wed 09 March 2011 - Bushfire Myths and Facts

This week (Wed 16 March 2011) we'll be discussing some new projects in the Mountains. One is bushfire risk, property protection, access and strategic bushfire containment options from Blackheath to Hawkesbury Heights along the northern fringes of the settlements. The other is assessing Essential and Important Fire Trails throughout the Blue Mountains with a view to ensuring that the fire trails are properly maintained to allow safe access and egress by trimming overhanging or overgrown vegetation, on existing trails only.

Tune in from 8:30am this Wednesday to BLU-FM 89.1 or look out for the next podcast, coming out by the end of this week.

I hope you enjoy listening to the podcasts and, as always, welcome your feedback or suggestions, along with requests or ideas about subjects you'd like to see covered in future episodes.

Also, you can now follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ruralfirebm (or @ruralfirebm) will notify you of all updates sent to this email list, along with a shortened URL to follow for the whole story.

07 March 2011

Also you can tune in to BluFM 89.1 every Wednesday between 8:30-9:00am for our regular chat with hosts Mark and Sammi Horton on bushfire news and information. This week's topic will be "Bushfire Myths".

28 February 2011

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for parts of the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones and damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra and Central Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Penrith, Campbelltown, Orange, Bathurst and Katoomba.

RFS Disclaimer: This email message is intended only for the addressee(s) and contains information which may be confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete this email and any copies or links to this email completely and immediately from your system. Views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, and are not necessarily the views of the NSW Rural Fire Service.

12 February 2011

The bureau of meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Central Tablelands. Very heavy rainfall has been recorded at Oberon (35mm in 30 minutes) and as the storm spreads there is also a risk of flash flooding.

The storm cells are approaching the Mountains area. Residents should take care when driving, especially if minor flooding starts to affect roads.

For emergency assistance and life-threatening emergencies call '000' immediately. For assistance with minor flooding or storm damage contact the State Emergency Service on 131 500.

RFS Disclaimer: This email message is intended only for the addressee(s) and contains information which may be confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete this email and any copies or links to this email completely and immediately from your system. Views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, and are not necessarily the views of the NSW Rural Fire Service.

05 February 2011

This is the final message relating to this fire and no further updates will be sent unless there is a significant change to the current situation.

A bush fire has been burning in the Megalong Valley/Kanimbla Valley area adjacent to the Cox's River.

Current Situation

This fire has now been contained. Firefighters and helicopter crews will be continuing to work on blacking out the fire, ensuring that all burning material is extinguished, and will remain on scene for some time to come.

The fire has burned approximately 3-4 hectares. The fire is located within the Lithgow Local Government Area.

The additional firefighting units that were on standby have been stood down and will be returning to their stations.

Advice

All residents of the Megalong and Kanimbla Valleys are advised to continue monitoring conditions in your area.

Other information

There is currently a fire burning in the Londonderry/Castlereagh area, approximately 7km east of Hawkesbury Heights. Smoke from this fire may be visible in the lower Mountains.

• If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

• Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737. (1800 NSW RFS)

A bush fire is burning in the Megalong Valley/Kanimbla Valley area adjacent to the Cox's River.

Current Situation

The fire is currently approximately 3-4 hectares in size and is being controlled by a combination of firefighting units on the ground and helicopters water-bombing from the air. The fire is currently located within the Lithgow Local Government Area. It is partially in an inaccessible area adjacent to the Cox's River between the Kanimbla and Megalong Valleys. This part of the fire will intially be attacked by the helicopters. Firefighters on the ground with light, medium and heavy tankers, from both Lithgow and Blue Mountains Districts are working on the remainder of the fire.

Additional firefighting units and a forward command vehicle are being staged at Megalong Valley for rapid deployment if required.

Fire Behaviour:

• Variable based on local conditions

Fire Intensity:

• Fires can be controlled

• Spot fires can occur close to the main fire

Fire Impact:

• Loss of life unlikely and damage to property will be limited

• Well prepared and actively defended houses can offer safety during a fire

Advice

All residents of the Megalong and Kanimbla Valleys, as well as immediately surrounding areas, are advised to monitor conditions in your area.

Check and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan.

If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes. Leaving early is your safest option.

Other information

• If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

• Continue to stay up to date with the bush fire situation by checking http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/, listening to your local radio station or by calling the NSW RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737. (1800 NSW RFS)